Claimant to the historic throne of Ghassan and Head of the Royal House of Ghassan

Gharios El Chemor Al-Numan VIII

(née. Ahnume Guerios, born 29 September 1973)

The Royal House of Ghassan has been accredited by the UN with Special Consultative Status since 2016, his claim to the headship of the house has been recognized by the Global Imams Council since 2020 and by Dr. Joseph Albert Kechichian, one of the leading scholars in Arabic royal succession. He is also the only secular Christian leader from the Middle East recognized by multiple entities of different backgrounds. The Royal House of Ghassan is also legally authorized to operate in Lebanon by Presidential decree 5,800/2019 and by the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees – Number: 814/4/2022.

Prince Gharios was heavily influenced by his family, especially his grandmother. Gharios was always interested in charity, volunteering in several non-profit organizations, both in Brazil and the United States. In 2016 Michael Hesemann founded the Prinz Gharios Stiftung, a non-profit organization based in Germany that aims to support Christians in the Middle East, "to provide care, education and training for Christian war orphans, to support persecuted and expelled Christians, and to preserve and promote the culture of oriental Christianity of all denominations." In 2019, Gharios and his supporters started the "One Voice for Christians" initiative, presided by Antoine Kalaydjian with a board composed of Dr. Joseph Albert Kechichian, Michael Hesemann, Khalil Melhem, and Thomas Schirrmacher. The initiative is supported by several religious leaders, including His Holiness Aram I and Paul Youssef Matar. Most recently, Gharios created the World Evolution initiative, which aims to address three major global issues: hunger, “green wealth” and education.

In 2008, when Gharios assumed the headship of the Royal House, he created the first dynastic order, called "The Sacred Order of Saint Michael Archangel", which was later renamed to "The Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel". The order was granted to and accepted by Bujar Nishani, former president of Albania, in a special private meeting at the presidential palace in 2017. The order was also granted to His Holiness Aram I, the Head of the Holy See of Cilicia, in 2018. Other notable members include former Minister of Technology of Brazil and astronaut Marcos Pontes, Hajji Baba Mondi, and Prince Leka II of the Albanians. In 2023 Gharios created two new orders, the Order of Saint Sergius (the patron saint of the Ghassanids) and the Order of Christ Pantokrator, which will be limited to 100 members. The House of Ghassan had its Fons Honorum recognized by the Augustan Society.

It is argued that the Ghassanids were one of the first Christian Knights, fighting to protect the Holy Land under the Byzantine Empire, roughly 500 years before the First Crusade. They were the first Christian combatants to incorporate a code of honor, equivalent to a "chivalric code". The Ghassanid code of honor was based on the Arab concept of "Muru'a", which had basic principles very similar to what later became a synonym of chivalry (bravery in combat, respect for women, protection of the weak, and honor). Since the Ancient Ghassanids were not organized in Orders, these dynastic orders do not claim to be a succession or a continuation of any ancient order. Notable public figures who have received honors and orders from the Royal House of Ghassan since 2016 (See Royal House Gazette).

His Royal Highness has received the foreign honors of: Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2014); Dragomanov Medal of European Communication, The National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Kiev, Ukraine (2017); Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2019); Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II Kabalega (2020); and Grand Collar of the Royal Order of Obeng II (2021). He has been awarded the Kentucky Colonel (2012); AOF Icon Award (2021); inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame for his Martial Arts career (2022); and listed in the Marquis Who's Who in America (2023).

The Legacy of the Ghassanids

The Ghassanid dynasty reached its zenith under the leadership of al-Harith V and al-Mundhir III. Both leaders were renowned for their military success as Byzantine allies, particularly in defense against the Lakhmids. Their efforts safeguarded Byzantium’s southern frontier and advanced its political and commercial interests across Arabia. However, the Ghassanids' unwavering dedication to Miaphysitism eventually led to tensions with Byzantium, culminating in the downfall and exile of al-Mundhir III and the dissolution of the Ghassanid federation in 586 AD. Despite this political setback, the Ghassanids' patronage of the Miaphysite Syrian Church ensured its survival and spread through missionary work into Arabia​.

Historian Warwick Ball suggests that the Ghassanids' efforts in promoting a stricter form of monotheistic Christianity within an Arab context may have foreshadowed the rise of Islam. Furthermore, their reign brought significant prosperity to the Arabs in eastern Syria, reflected in urban expansion and the construction of churches, monasteries, and other buildings. Ghassanid court culture, famed for its luxury and patronage of the arts, particularly Arab-language poetry, set a precedent for the Umayyad caliphs, who later emulated this cultural model​.

Following the dissolution of the Ghassanid kingdom in the 7th century, numerous Christian and Muslim dynasties laid claim to the Ghassanid heritage. These included the Phocid or Nikephorian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, the Rasulid Sultans of Yemen, and the Burji Mamluk Sultans of Egypt. The continuation of Ghassanid influence through these dynasties underscores the enduring relevance of the Ghassanid legacy​.

The Modern House of Ghassan

The modern House of Ghassan traces its lineage to the descendants of the last Ghassanid King, Chemor Jablah, who established his family in Lebanon. From 1211 to 1633, the descendants ruled the Principality of Al-Aqoura in the Byblos district and later Zgharta-Zwaiya, where the title of Royal Ghassanid rulers continued until 1747​. Today, the El Chemor family claims descent from these rulers, particularly Prince Sheikh Yousef El Chemor, who ruled in the 18th century. Various academic and governmental authorities, including the Augustan Society and the Lebanese government, have recognized the family's genealogical ties​.

HIRH Sheikh Antonios El Chemor

Born in 1910, Sheikh Antonios El Chemor spent his youth between Kferhata and his studies at Aintoura School, one of Lebanon’s prestigious institutions. He later moved to Marseille for further education and subsequently embarked on a successful career in trade in Nigeria, dealing in army supplies. Upon returning to Lebanon in the 1940s, he made substantial contributions to local infrastructure, including a large water grid serving 48 villages and roads, churches, mosques, and hospitals. His humanitarian efforts earned him recognition as a significant figure in Lebanon’s political and social circles​.

Sheikh Antonios married HRH Princess Laudy Chehab in 1953, and they had three sons: HIRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor (b. 1954), HIRH Prince Sheikh Michel El Chemor (b. 1956), and HIRH Prince Sheikh Khalil El Chemor (b. 1960).

HRH Princess Laudy Chehab Al-Chemor was a Princess and a Shariffa by her own right descending from HRH Prince Bashir Chehab II "the Great", the Emir (or Prince) of Mount Lebanon from 1788 till 1840. She also descended from the Quraysh being related to the Hashemite Royal Family of Jordan and the Alouite Royal Family of Morrocco. Therefore, the Al-Chemor/El Chemor Family is related by marriage to some of the more important Arab Royal Families.

HRH was active in various humanitarian and cultural projects in northern Lebanon until the day of her passing.

Cheikh Antonios passed away in 1971, leaving a legacy of philanthropy and leadership.

HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII

The current head of the modern Royal House of Ghassan, HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor, is the 8th great-grandson of Sheikh Yousef El Chemor of Chiyah. His lineage has been well-documented and has received scholarly and governmental recognition. The Ghassanid Royal House has received international recognition, including from the United Nations, the Lebanese government, and other international bodies. He is the direct descendant of HIRH Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, the last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE, through his son, Dargham, Sheikh El Chemor; through his son, Gharios Habbaki, Sheikh El Chemor of Chiyah; through his son, Antoun Gharios, Sheikh El Chemor of Chiyah; through his son, Fares bin Antoun Gharios, Al Habbaqi (El Chemor); through his son, Maurice Mansour Gharios, El Chemor (recognized cousin to Prince Antonios, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata); and his son, Carlos Roberto Gharios (El Chemor).

Current Royal Family Members and Heritage

Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata Branch

The Chemors of Kfarhata have the title of Sheiks. They were the governors of Akoura in the mountains of Byblos between 1211 and 1633 and the rulers of Zgharta-Zawiya between 1641 and 1747. Their ancestors were the Ghassanids, a Christian tribe that dwelled in the Arabian Peninsula. After being displaced from Yemen because of a natural disaster, they settled in the Houran region of Syria. They allied themselves with the Byzantines as protectors of the South. Past the Islamic conquest of the area, they sought refuge in Lebanon. Their first stay was in Akoura (Byblos district) then they moved to Kfarhata in 1641. The Following are the direct decedents of HIRH Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE, through his son, HIRH Abu Issa, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata; his son Issa, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata; his son, Youssef, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata; his son, Selim, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata; his son, Mikhael Saleem, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata; and his son, Antonios, Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata.

  • HIRH Crown Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants (Hon. Head of House and Name).

  • HIRH Prince Sheikh Michel El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants.

  • HIRH Prince Sheikh Khalil El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants.

Gharios Habbaki, Sheikh El Chemor of Chiyah Branch

The following are the descendants of HIRH Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, the last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE, through his son, HIRH Dargham El Chemor. According to p. 2236, Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families, v.4 (Notre Dame University), Dargham had four sons who first settled in Beit Habbak and then migrated to other regions of modern-day Lebanon. These sons are the forefathers of the four cadets branches: Habika El Chemor of Baskinta; Farjan El Chemor of Habbak; Farahat El Chemor of Al Hadas; and Gharios Habbaki El Chemor of Chiyah (settled there in 1757). The modern family Gharios of Cheyah is formally called “Gharios Habbaki Chemor” due to the village of Beit Habbak in the region of Byblos. This Habbaki family descends from the same prestigious “Chemor” family of Kfarhata-Zgharta, as Father Ignatios Tannos El-Khoury notes in his book, Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747).

  • HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII married HIRH Princess Consort Cristin Al-Numan El Chemor of Ghassan and all their descendants (Head of House and Name).

  • HIRH Prince Sheikh Antoine Majid El Chemor and all his descendants (descendant of Marionite Priest, Fr. Gharios bin Youssef, Sheikh El Chemor of Chiyah).

  • HRH Sheikh Dr. Naji Gharios, HH Sheikha Sonia Gharios, and their descendants (descendant of Marionite Priest, Fr. Gharios bin Youssef, Sheikh El Chemor of Chiyah).

References

  1. Warwick Ball. Rome in the East: The Transformation of an Empire. Routledge, 2000, pp. 102–105.

  2. Irfan Shahid. Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century, vol. 2, part 2. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 2002, pp. 51–104.

  3. Hitti, Philip K. Lebanon in History: From the Earliest Times to the Present. London: Macmillan, 1967, pp. 302–310.

  4. Gharios El Chemor, Prince. The Royal Ghassanids: Past and Present. St. Sergius Press, 2024, pp. 14-45.

  5. The Royal House of Ghassan: Official Website. Accessed January 1, 2024, from https://royalhouseofghassan.org.